Suspension - Harsh Rear Suspension Ride With Heavy Load
T-SB-0305-08Rev2
September 30, 2008
Rear Spring Harsh Ride
Service Category
Suspension
Section
Rear Suspension
Market
USA
Applicability
TSB REVISION NOTICE
^ January 4, 2010 Rev2:
^ Applicability has been updated to include 2009 - 2010 model year Tacoma vehicles.
^ Shock absorbers and bump stops have been updated in production for 2009 - 2010 model year Tacoma non-TRD Option Package Truck.
^ Updated shock absorbers and bump stops are now available for 2005 - 2008 model year Tacoma non-TRD Option Package Truck.
^ Measurements have been updated in the Alignment Inspection tables.
^ January 12, 2009 Rev1:
^ Applicability has been updated to clarify that this TSB applies ONLY to Tacoma vehicles (4x4 and PreRunner) with Access or Double cabs.
Any previous printed versions of this service bulletin should be discarded.
TSB SUPERSESSION NOTICE
The information contained in this TSB supersedes TSB No. 5U006-07.
^ Applicability has been updated to include 2008 model year Tacoma vehicles.
TSB No. SU006-07 is Obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded. Be sure to review the entire content of this service bulletin before proceeding.
Introduction
Some customers of Tacoma 4x4 or Pre Runner vehicles with Access or Double cabs may experience a harsh ride from the rear suspension while carrying heavy cargo in the bed and driving over bumps or uneven road surfaces. Updated rear spring assemblies and front and rear shocks are available to improve this condition.
Customers should be advised that vehicle ride characteristics in an unloaded condition may exhibit an increase in rear suspension firmness.
Warranty Information
APPLICABLE WARRANTY
^ This repair is covered under the Toyota Comprehensive Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 36 months or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's in-service date.
^ Warranty application is limited to occurrence of the specified condition described in this bulletin.
Parts Information
Repair Procedure
Non-TRD Option Package Truck
Remove and replace the rear spring assemblies and all shock absorbers.
Refer to the Technical Information System (TIS) applicable model and model year Repair Manual:
Alignment Inspection Procedure
An alignment inspection and adjustment is required after the installation of the new rear leaf springs. The NEW alignment specifications are provided below.
1. Measure vehicle height.
Bounce the vehicle up and down at the corners to stabilize the suspension before inspecting the vehicle height.
Measuring points:
^ A is the ground clearance of front wheel center.
^ B is the ground clearance of adjustment cam bolt center (front side).
^ C is the ground clearance of rear wheel center.
^ D is the ground clearance of rear leaf spring front side bushing center.
NOTE
Before inspecting the wheel alignment, check the vehicle height.
Tacoma PreRunner (4-cylinder 2TR engine)
Tacoma PreRunner (V6 1GR engine)
Tacoma 4x4 (4-cylinder 2TR engine)
Tacoma 4x4 (V6 1GR engine)
2. Adjust toe-In.
Tacoma PreRunner (4-cylinder 2TR engine)
Tacoma PreRunner (V6 1GR engine)
Tacoma 4x4 (4-cylinder 2TR engine)
Tacoma 4x4 (V6 1GR engine)
If toe-in is NOT within the specified range adjust it at the rack ends.
3. Adjust toe-in.
A. Remove the rack boot set clips.
B. Loosen the tie rod end lock nuts.
C. Turn the right and left rack ends uniformly to adjust toe-in.
HINT
Try to adjust toe-in to the middle of the specified range.
D. Make sure that the lengths of the right and left rack ends are the same.
E. Torque the tie rod end lock nuts.
Torque: 55.5 N*m (566 kg*cm, 41 ft*lbf)
F. Place the boots on the seats and install the clips.
HINT
Make sure that the boots are NOT twisted.
4. Inspect the wheel turning angle.
Turn the steering wheel fully and measure the turning angle
Wheel Turning Angle
If the right and left turning angles of the inside and outside wheels are not within the specified ranges check the right and left rack end lengths.
5. Inspect the camber caster and steering axis inclination.
Tacoma PreRunner (4-cylinder 2TR engine)
Tacoma PreRunner (V6 1GR engine)
Tacoma 4x4 (4-cylinder 2TR engine)
Tacoma 4x4 (V6 1GR engine)
6. Adjust the camber and caster.
NOTE
Inspect and re-adjust toe after making any adjustments to caster or camber.
A. Loosen the nut and bolt.
B. Turn camber adjust cam No.2 and the toe adjust cam and adjust the camber and the caster.
HINT
Try to adjust the camber and caster to the central values.